The March 1996 issue of The Christian Science Journal, and the Annual Meeting report carried in the July 1996 issue, focused on the healing mission, purpose, focus, and current priorities of the Church of Christ, Scientist. As a continuing report on how the Church is going forward in this work, senior managers at The Mother Church have been invited to write for the Journal a brief account of how workers in their area of activity are approaching these goals. This month, Carol J. Hohle, Managing Publisher for the Writings of Mary Baker Eddy, reports on the progress of one of the current priority objectives—"expanded availability and accessibility of Science and Health."
Over the past three years, semiannual focus periods have been established to help keep in the forefront of thought the central place of the Christian Science textbook in fulfilling the Church's purpose. They're a reminder of how important it is for those who have been blessed by the healing message of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures to give that same healing opportunity to others. This sharing activity is also an important opportunity to join with Mrs. Eddy, the author of Science and Health, in her life purpose: "...to impress humanity with the genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian Science." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 207. What better gift is there to help the public gain a more accurate understanding of Christian Science than to share Science and Health?
The focus on Science and Health—a collective devotion of thought by church members—is expanding to embrace all branch churches and members of The Mother Church. Many cities in the states, counties, and provinces of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada that engage in semiannual focus periods are naturally extending their activities year-round, and the Publisher's Office is learning of activities springing up in India, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, France, Germany, Russia. Members are discovering that there is a demand for the Christ Science, as explained in Science and Health—for an understanding of the meaning of existence, for a spiritual sense of identity, and especially for the healing and reformation that come through this Science.
